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HARRISONBURG, VA (Rocktown Now) — A prominent voice in The Valley is hanging up the headphones.
Mike Schikman, host of The Mike Schikman Show on WSVA and former Voice of the JMU Dukes, is retiring after 47 years in The Valley.
Mike first moved to The Shenandoah Valley in 1978 from New York to work at WANV in Waynesboro. A year later he ended up at WSVA in Harrisonburg, which really kickstarted his career.
“The Valley is a special place. It really is god’s place. The people are pretty wonderful and the people that listen to WSVA are even more wonderful,” Mike says.
He left in August of 1986 to return to New York and work in personnel. One of his college friends said there was a job opening in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where he went for 13 months. Mike received a job offer in Charlotte, North Carolina as a national talk show host. He began looking for a place to live, but in the process, he found out the company had several behind the scenes issues. After not finding a place to live, he was on the street and jobless.
Mike then received job offers from WTAR in Norfolk and one back at WSVA. As he was making his way back home to New York from Charlotte, he stopped in Harrisonburg and the rest was history.
The job in Norfolk had fallen through and Mike says Bob MacNeil, Operations Manager at the time, cherished him and made him feel wanted.
Shortly after returning to Harrisonburg, he found out his wife, Carol, had multiple sclerosis. Mike says Harrisonburg was the one place she could get around freely. “My career became secondary for me at that point.”
Schikman began calling games in 1991 and became the Voice of the JMU dukes for 29 years. Him and his broadcast partner, Jim Britt, traveled across the country with the Dukes and they quickly became great friends. Mike says, “traveling with Jim Britt was like riding with Elvis.”
When reflecting on his times with Mike, Jim had a lot to say.
“Mike and I did JMU football and basketball during the Lefty Driesell and Rip Scherer days. We saw a lot of fantastic games and had a great time. Back in those days, we traveled separately from the teams. Some of those road trips were more memorable than the games themselves.”
“We also found some of the best restaurants. I know that shocks you. As Coach Driesell said one night in Charlotte, “I’m going to dinner wherever Britt and Schikman go. I guarantee you they’re not having kale or quinoa.”
“The bottom line is, we had a lot of fun, and I couldn’t have asked for a better partner,” says Jim.
While Mike has been at WSVA for over 35 years, he’s had a lot of coworkers turn into best friends, including Frank Wilt, current Operations Manager.
“He’s been more than a co-worker but the kind of friend you want to hang out with. I’ve always said that if you needed help, Mike would be there to help if he could. Not only for WSVA but for his friends as well. He’s not just a legend in sports broadcasting in the valley and Virginia but will always be a part of the legendary history of our station,” says Frank.
When asking Mike about the best part of being at WSVA for so long, he has endless stories. But the one part that sticks out to him the most, the people of the Shenandoah Valley.
“The valley has changed me in a very good way. I’ve always been friendly, which is unusual for New Yorkers. But I fell in love with the lifestyle. So did my wife. I came down here and found a home. A real home.”
Mike says current general manager and president of Harrisonburg Media Group, Kim Mitchell, is the best general manager he’s ever had, and he will miss her the most.
“For 44 years, Mike has been a steady and trusted voice on WSVA, dedicating himself to keeping our community informed with integrity and heart. His commitment to local broadcasting and his deep connection with listeners has left a lasting impact. We are incredibly grateful for his service and wish him nothing but the best as he begins this well-earned next chapter in retirement,” Kim says.
Going forward, Mike plans to visit and spend time with family, and will start writing.
“I have known so many people over my life. I want to tell the stories of people that can’t anymore.”
As for leaving WSVA, he knows he has a legacy.
“Being part of that legacy, and as I retire, I’m sure a lot of that historical memory will go with me.”
Tune in to Mike’s final show this afternoon, June 13, from 3-6pm on News Talk 92.1 and 550 WSVA or listen online here.